Community Centers & Support

Discover resources for your local area.

This page lists comprehensive community organizations throughout Los Angeles. From health care to job support and academic tutoring, these centers offer a wide variety of services. Also in this section, you can find programs that help with basic needs such as emergency housing, food banks, transportation, and help paying bills.

Maria's Closet

Located in San Pedro, CA, we provide to those in need: free new or nearly new formal wear, accessories, hair and make-up for Prom in a fun, carefree environment that inspires today’s young women to experience Prom with confidence.

Bikur Cholim / Medical Equipment Free Loan

This nonprofit works with low-income families facing financial hardship due to medical costs. They offer a free medical equipment loan program providing individuals with wheelchairs, hospital beds, iv pumps and more. Additionally they deliver free meals to hospitalized patients and their families, provide medical appointment transportation and bill assistance for various medical issues including hospitalization and children’s speech therapy.

AIDS Drug Assistance Program

This program helps Californians who are uninsured or underinsured afford costly treatment for HIV/AIDS. It also offers assistance in acquiring PrEp, a HIV prevention medication that works for those exposed to it, for example someone in a relationship with an HIV+ individual.

GoodRx

If you have a prescription, enter the medication name on this free website to find printable manufacturer’s coupons that offer huge discounts. These coupons are accepted at most pharmacies and the website offers a hotline if you experience any trouble redeeming them. You do not have to sign up for anything or have health insurance to access these coupons.

Angel Flight West

Angel Flight West is a nonprofit organization that arranges free non-emergency air travel for families and individuals with serious medical conditions. They also provide “compassion flights” for those unable to afford a flight to visit an ill relative. They currently serve 13 states in the US, including California.

Needy Meds

This directory of medication financial assistance programs can help you find a deal near you. Search by medication name or health condition to find low-cost resources. You can even look up government programs for specific conditions as well as retreats and summer camps for families and youth with health issues.

ADAMS ESQ FOUNDATION

ADAMS ESQ is a special education law firm representing children with special education needs throughout California and Nevada.

Our staff, paralegals, advocates and attorneys represent the interests of children and their parents in obtaining a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

1736 Family Crisis Center

1736 Family Crisis Center has responded to the growing needs of victims of domestic violence, runaway and homeless youth, victims of human trafficking, homeless families, homeless and at-risk Veterans, unemployed adults and youth, and other low-income community members in need of assistance. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive rehabilitative programs that are managed by licensed therapists, social workers, attorneys and other professional staff. Men, women, children and families can access life-saving support 24 hours a day through five shelters, five community service centers, various community-based offices and co-locations and five crisis and suicide hotlines. We are ready to help kids, families, and Veterans so that they can permanently escape the worst possible conditions of poverty, homelessness and violence.

ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

The Alliance for Children’s Rights protects the rights of impoverished, abused and neglected young people. By providing free legal services, advocacy, and programs that create pathways to jobs and education, the Alliance levels the playing field and ensures that children who experience foster care are able to fulfill their potential.

Bet Tzedek Legal Services

The agency provides advocacy, housing services, legal services, and services for older adults for people in Los Angeles County, including people who have disabilities and people who are on a fixed income.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

The agency provides advocacy, domestic violence services, health services, immigration services, legal services and volunteer opportunities for low-income residents in Los Angeles County who have incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Jewish Free Loan Association of Los Angeles

The Jewish Free Loan Association offers interest free loans and financing to a limited number of families in the county. Loan types include student loans, medical loans, and general emergency loans. Loans are available to individuals of all religions and backgrounds.

WIN APP

The WIN app is designed for Los Angeles homeless youth and families to find relevant and timely resources. Split into categories, the app covers topics like food, education, shelter, and transit. The web-based version of the app can be accessed on any computer and shows all the same resources.

LA LGBT Center

The LGBT Center works to provide homeless LGBT youth ages 12-24 with a wide array of services in additional to temporary housing. Free meals are served 2-3 times a day, there is a free clothing closet, laundry, showers, and internet. For transitional age youth 18-24, they offer a co-ed dorm style residential program with personalized case management. The center plans group field trips to locations like the movies and art museums and offers support groups on specific topics.

Alliance for Housing and Healing

Formerly called Aid for AIDS, the Alliance for Housing and Healing provides housing support for HIV+ individuals. The organization has group homes for specific populations like mothers with children. They also offer two permanent support housing programs for those with a history of chronic homelessness and HIV. The program subsidizes rent, a portion of your telephone bill and utilities and helps arrange moving. For those faced with an unexpected crisis, the Alliance offers emergency financial assistance, subsidies for medication, and subsidies for food.

Hollywood and Santa Monica office: 323-656-1107

Long Beach office: 562-294-5500

Homeless Shelter Directory

This website can help you find a homeless shelter in every state, organized by city. The website provides the amount of beds per each shelter, their phone number, website, and a brief description about the population it serves.

Reduced Fare Bus Pass LA Metro

The LA public transportation system offers reduced fares through the “Low Income Fare is Easy” program. Those meeting the income eligibility requirements are entitled to discounts of up to $24 off on monthly passes. Currently these discounts come in the form of paper coupons, but starting in July the discounts will be applied directly to your TAP card.

United Friends of the Children (Central Los Angeles)

From their website, “United Friends of the Children empowers current and former foster youth on their journey to self-sufficiency”. For former foster youth and probation youth in need of housing support, their Pathways program offers 18-26 month long housing with comprehensive support. If you are interested in academic support, United Friends of the Children has an education support program that you can participate in from the start of 7th grade until the end of college. Programs include field trips, college counseling, tutoring, and grants.

Los Angeles LGBT Center (West Hollywood)

The LA LGBT Center describes itself as a “safe and welcoming place where individuals of all ages can find help, as well as hope and support, when they need it most. This huge organization offers many programs for the community it serves. In addition to resources for housing, employment, and education, there are opportunities for LGBT youth to find mentors. The LGBT Center also houses a comprehensive health clinic and legal services.

Khan Academy

When it comes to money, have you ever wondered, “what is the bare minimum I need to know to avoid ruining my life?” Khan Academy has you covered! This site has thousands of easy to understand videos on all kinds of topics, including personal finance. You can find information explaining taxes, saving and budgeting, paying for college, car expenses, and more.

Pathways LA

Pathways LA helps parents who are looking for work, in school, or in need of housing afford childcare and access other parenting resources. Eligible parents can choose to enroll their child in after school programs, parks and recreation programs, and summer programs for free or at a reduced cost. The program even can arrange to have a friend or family member receive pay for watching your child.

My Life, My Rights

This website for foster youth lays out advice in educational planning, employment, relationships, and independent living. It answers frequently asked questions in each of these categories, with detailed answers and links to resources.

Know Before You Go

This site is a hub of resources created by foster youth for foster youth transitioning into independent living. There is information about jobs, school, housing, money, life, health, and legal services. You can also explore re-entering foster care until age 21, a possibility for foster youth who have turned 18. The website can direct you to advocates to help you make a decision about this program and learn about the process.

CCRC Childcare Assistance

If you need help paying for childcare, this organization provides vouchers that can be used for independent babysitters of daycare facilities. They also link so a list of other childcare assistant programs which have their own requirements based on age and income.

PACE/HEAP

The Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment offers assistance to low-income families and individuals in specific Los Angeles zip codes who need help paying their utilities. Priority is given to the elderly, disabled, and families with small children who meet the income eligibility requirements. The application requires a current electric bill, proof of income for the entire household, picture id, social security card, and current rent receipt.

21 Savage Bank Account Campaign

Atlanta rapper 21 Savage is popular for his hit song “Bank Account”. But as he explains in this campaign, he catapulted to superstardom with a very limited understanding of money management. So he created this online program for youth to understand finances better. He says, “As I have gotten smarter about financial management, I realize how empowering it is to control your money rather than be controlled by it. I want to help kids with a background similar to mine to get smart about their money."

City of Pasadena Teen Center (Pasadena)

The City of Pasadena runs a teen center offering workshops, educational resources, snacks, and community. 6-10th graders can drop in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:15-6:00pm. There are free snacks, computer access, and recreation like pool and video games. Each Friday the center takes participants on a mini field trip or shows a movie.

Peace4Kids (South LA)

Peace4Kids offers services for current and former foster youth in South LA. Their Core Saturday Program reunites separated siblings in foster care ages 4-18 with creative and educational support, field trips, and life skills. During the lunchtime of each Saturday program the organization hosts a pop-up library that allows each participant to leave with a book. Foster youth may also engage in this organization’s leadership and mentorship programs. And for transitional age youth, there are classes on money management, interpersonal skills and other important skills for adulthood.

Flintridge Center “Youth of Promise”

Youth of Promise serves youth in Northwest Pasadena and West Altadena who have been affected by poverty, violence, gang life, and incarceration. They provide youth with comprehensive services like tutoring, life skill workshops, college mentorship and field trips. The goal of this organization is to help local youth through high school and into college.

Youth Moving On (Pasadena)

As part of Hillsides, the Youth Moving On peer resource center is open to transitional age youth 16-25 in Pasadena. This center provides free hot lunch and dinner, with an up-to-date schedule on their website. There are also free laundry, showers, and wi-fi in addition to a full schedule of classes. These classes include cooking, LGBT support, and us! You can find Million Little’s Creative Mindfulness program at Youth Moving On every Wednesday from 1-3.

Laundry Love

Laundry Love is a national organization that partners with local laundromats to help low-income or families and individuals in need of laundry services. Each laundromat listed on their website sets aside two hours a week for this service, and you can find all the participating laundromats and their hours online.

Sanctuary of Hope (South LA)

Sanctuary of Hope is a nonprofit organization operating in South LA and the South Bay which provides housing, educational support and financial assistance to youth between the ages of 16-25. Additionally, they work to strengthen families through family therapy and conflict resolution for youth trying to reconnect after living in a difficult home situation or running away. The organization also has access to wi-fi, transportation services, and college prep programs.

Chinatown Service Center (Chinatown)

The Chinatown Service Center is a community-based organization that also offers services to speakers of English Vietnamese, Spanish, and Khmer amongst many Chinese dialects. Their three major areas are career resources, health services, and social services for youth, families, and the elderly. The CSC Youth Center hosts academic and career programs, volunteer and leadership opportunities, and cross-cultural immersion programs for Asian and Latino cultures.